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The Dell XPS 13 9380 is still a compelling used or refurbished laptop if you want a compact premium design, a sharp screen and a webcam positioned above the display. Its age, soldered memory, integrated battery and USB-C-only connectivity make it a conditional buy: prioritize a healthy battery, enough RAM for your needs and the 1080p screen if endurance matters most.
What changed in the 2019 XPS 13?
The 9380 was Dell’s early-2019 refresh, updating the processor to Intel’s Whiskey Lake-U generation and moving the webcam from below the display to the top bezel. That relocation fixes the unflattering, upward-facing camera angle of the previous generation. The trade-off is that the webcam no longer supports infrared Windows Hello facial login; some configurations instead include a fingerprint reader.
The laptop’s core appeal remains its small footprint: a 13.3-inch screen in a chassis close in size to many 11-inch laptops. Its narrow-bezel InfinityEdge design and, on some finishes, woven-fiberglass palm rest give it a compact premium feel.
Specifications and configurations
Configurations vary, so check the exact machine listing rather than assuming every 9380 has the same screen, memory or processor. Notebookcheck’s reviewed mainstream configuration had a Core i5-8265U, 8 GB of soldered LPDDR3-2133 RAM, a 256 GB NVMe SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620 and a glossy 13.3-inch 3840×2160 IPS touchscreen. The range described by Notebookcheck also included Core i3 and Core i7-8565U processors, 1080p or 4K displays, up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of SSD storage.
#1 Best Overall
- The most powerful 13-inch laptop in its class. The refreshed XPS 13 features the Newest 8th Gen Intel processors, Offering increased performance with 4 cores, all in a slim form. More Cores means increased performance when you multitask.
- The XPS 13 is cut from a single block of aluminum, so it's more durable than a machine that's pieced together. Inspired by the aerospace industry, The carbon fiber and woven glass fiber of the palm rest allow for maximum strength and minimal weight. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is tough, damage resistant, durable and elegant and better able to withstand damage from drops.
- Our Engineering teams invested in advanced manufacturing technologies to produce an ultra-tiny camera, our smallest ever at 2. 25mm, that could be integrated into the top bezel of the XPS 13 without compromise.
- Recognized by ces with a "2018 best of innovation award, " our black Packaging trays are a step beyond recycled. Twenty-five percent of the material consists of ocean plastics collected from coastal areas, while the remaining 75% is made up of other recycled plastics.
- Xps 13 is energy Star certified.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight and dimensions | 2.7 pounds; 11.9 × 7.8 × 0.46 inches, according to Ars Technica |
| Battery capacity | 52 Wh, according to Ars Technica |
| Memory | 8 GB or up to 16 GB LPDDR3-2133 in configurations described by Notebookcheck; soldered to the board |
| Storage | 256 GB in Notebookcheck’s reviewed configuration; configurations described by Notebookcheck offered up to 512 GB |
| Launch price | $899 starting price, according to Ars Technica; historical launch pricing, not a current-market quote |
| Warranty | One year, according to Ars Technica; coverage on a used or refurbished unit depends on its seller and purchase terms |
How fast is the XPS 13 9380?
For everyday work—browsing, office applications, coding and photo editing—the 9380 remains capable. PCWorld measured roughly 20 percent better multi-threaded Cinebench performance and about 13 percent better single-thread performance than comparable laptops using the older Core i7-8550U. Those are meaningful but modest generational gains, not a reason to expect modern high-end performance.
The integrated UHD Graphics 620 handles everyday graphics and light or older games. It is not suited to demanding modern 3D games; those require substantially more graphics capability, such as an external GPU setup, and even then expectations should be modest.
Rank #2
- UPC, 884116313953
- Weight, 5.250 lbs
- System ram type, unknown
- Memory storage capacity, 8.0
Which screen should you choose?
The main choice is between a 1080p display and the 4K touchscreen. The 4K panel offers much higher pixel density and supports Dolby Vision HDR, but its higher resolution can reduce battery life. If long unplugged sessions matter more than maximum sharpness and touch, the 1080p configuration is the safer choice.
Battery results depend on the screen and test method. WIRED reported about 12 hours in an HD-video loop. Notebookcheck’s 4K unit lasted 8 hours 18 minutes in its Wi-Fi test at 150 nits. Notebookcheck also recorded about 17 hours at idle, but only with minimum brightness, airplane mode and other settings it described as unsuitable for normal use. These results are not directly comparable; they illustrate how configuration and workload affect runtime.
Rank #3
- ULTIMATE AI MOBILITY - Meet the first XPS CoPilot+ PC - the Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 with revolutionary on-device AI for lightning-fast performance. Enjoy desktop-class power without needing a charger, thanks to its industry-leading 27-hour battery life. Our thinnest, lightest XPS yet delivers instant AI acceleration, making professional-grade content creation possible anywhere
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE - Powered by a Snapdragon X Elite (12 Core Dual-Core Boost up to 4GHz, NPU up to 45 TOPS) X1E-80-100 Processor for superior efficiency and speed, 32GB of 8448MT/s DDR5 RAM for seamless multitasking, and a 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD for fast storage and reduced load times, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for all your tasks
- CRISP DISPLAY & PRIVACY - Features a FHD IR webcam for crystal-clear video calls and enhanced security, while the 13.4" 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 400nits Anti-reflective touchscreen display with Qualcomm Adreno graphics delivers crisp visuals, supported by the ability to connect 2 external monitors via Type-C ports at 4K (3840x2160) @60Hz (without docking station)
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY - Features a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for enhanced productivity. Equipped with 2 x USB4 40Gbps USB Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery for versatile connectivity. Includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast, reliable wireless performance
- OPERATING SYSTEM - Preinstalled with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit and AI-powered Copilot, including enterprise features such as BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management. It enhances productivity with intelligent assistance for tasks such as document creation, data analysis, email drafting, and virtual meetings
Is the webcam good?
The top-mounted webcam is the clearest improvement over the 9370. Ars Technica describes Dell’s custom 2.25 mm camera as using a four-element lens, active alignment and temporal noise reduction. Its reviewer found the image sharp and useful for conference calls and video chats, though a higher-quality external webcam can produce a better image. The move to the top bezel improves camera angle, but removes infrared facial recognition on this model.
Ports and everyday connectivity
The 9380 has three USB-C ports: two support Thunderbolt 3 and one is USB-C 3.1. It also includes a microSD reader, a 3.5 mm headset jack and a lock slot. You can connect a display through USB-C or Thunderbolt adapters. There is no USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet or full-size SD card slot, so older accessories and wired-network setups may require adapters or a USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 dock.
Rank #4
- Ultra-Thin. Ultra-Light. No Compromise: Measuring just 0.5 inch thin and starting at 2.2 lb, the premium XPS 13 combines a sleek, refined design with exceptional portability. With up to 17 hours of streaming battery life, take productivity and entertainment with you wherever you go.
- 2.5K Touch Display: Experience sharp, vibrant visuals on the 13.4-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) touchscreen with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness. The 16:10 display provides more vertical space for productivity, browsing, entertainment, and everyday tasks.
- Next-Generation Intel Core 5 Performance: Power through everyday productivity and multitasking with the Intel Core 5 Processor 320, featuring 6 cores, 6 threads, up to 4.6GHz, and a built-in NPU for efficient AI acceleration. Designed to deliver responsive performance while maintaining power efficiency.
- Fast Storage & Next-Gen Connectivity: Enjoy responsive performance with a 512GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support fast data transfer, charging, and external displays, while the included docking station adds versatile ports for seamless device expansion and a more productive setup.
- FHD IR Camera & Smart Security: Look sharp and stay connected with the 2MP FHD camera, delivering 1080p video at up to 30 fps. The IR camera enables convenient Windows Hello facial recognition, while dual-array microphones help provide clear voice pickup for video calls, meetings, and online learning.
What to check before buying used or refurbished
Because memory is soldered and the battery is integrated, configuration and condition matter more than the model name alone. The battery cannot be swapped quickly as a routine convenience, which makes its health particularly important in an older machine.
- Memory: Choose 16 GB if your workload needs more headroom; you cannot upgrade the soldered RAM later.
- Screen: Pick 1080p for better prospects of longer battery life, or 4K for sharper detail, touch and Dolby Vision HDR.
- Processor: Compare Core i5 and Core i7 versions against their price and condition. The CPU-generation gains are useful but not dramatic, and a higher-tier processor does not change the integrated graphics limitation.
- Battery: Ask about battery health or test runtime where possible. If the pack needs replacement, account for the cost and effort of sourcing and fitting a compatible XPS 13 9380 replacement battery.
- Ports: Confirm that you can live with USB-C, or budget for a compatible dock or the specific adapters your display and peripherals require.
- Seller terms: Check the actual warranty, return window and refurbishment condition. The one-year warranty cited at launch does not establish coverage for a particular secondhand unit.
Verdict: should you buy the Dell XPS 13 9380?
Buy one if you find a well-priced unit in good condition and value a particularly portable premium laptop, a comfortable keyboard, a sharp display and a properly placed webcam. Favor the 1080p, 16 GB configuration if it fits your needs and you want a better balance of runtime and future headroom. Skip it if you need upgradeable memory, easy battery replacement, a broad selection of built-in ports, modern gaming graphics or the confidence of buying a current platform. For used and refurbished machines, the actual price and battery condition decide whether its remaining strengths are worth the compromises.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Size: 13.3"; Max Resolution: 3840×2160
- Screen Finish: Glossy ; Type: LCD Screen Only (Not a laptop);
- Compatible Laptop Model: XPS 13 9380 7390 4K (Rose Gold)
- If you are not sure whether it is the correct item you need, please confirm with us.
- Important: Please install it Very Professionally, if Not, Please Do Not Try. (You need to Pull Off the Power Adaptor & Battery Cable when install)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
